National
Field Manual

HANDLING AND SHIPPING OF SAMPLES 5.5

By D.B. Radtke

Samples should be packaged and shipped to the laboratory for analysis as soon
as possible. Generally, the shorter the time between sample collection/processing
and sample analysis, the more reliable the analytical results will be. Before
shipping samples to the laboratory:

Protocols for labeling, documenting, and packaging samples established by the
receiving laboratory must be followed. Obtain authorization from
the laboratory before shipping highly contaminated
or potentially hazardous samples for analysis.
A summary of procedures for shipping samples to the NWQL is outlined below.
Office of Water Quality Technical Memorandum 92.06 and National Water Quality
Laboratory Technical Memorandum 95.04 give detailed instructions on shipping
procedures.